LIFESCI 7C Chapter Notes - Chapter 10.2 - 10.3: Cell Adhesion Molecule, Microtubule Organizing Center, Adherens Junction
Document Summary
Microtubule: a hollow, tubelike polymer of tubulin dimers that helps make up the cytoskeleton. Microfilament: a helical polymer of actin monomers, present in various locations in the cytoplasm, that helps make up the cytoskeleton. Intermediate filament: a polymer of proteins, which vary according to cell type, that combine to form strong, cable-like filaments that provide animal cells with mechanical strength. Tubulin: dimers (cid:523)composed of an (cid:573) tubulin and a (cid:574) tubulin(cid:524) that assemble into microfilaments. Microtubules & microfilaments are polymers of protein subunits. Centrosome: a compact structure that is the microtubule organizing center for animal cells. Actin: a protein subunit that makes up microfilaments; used by both striated and smooth muscles to contract and generate force. Dynamic instability: cycles of shrinkage and growth in microtubules. Motor proteins associate with microtubules and microfilaments to cause movement. Motor proteins: any of various proteins that are involved in intracellular transport or cause muscle contraction by moving the actin microfilaments inside muscle cells.
